Stethoscope



Oct. 12, 1937.

D. T. GRIFFITH 2,095,247

STETHOSCOPE Filed Oct. 24, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 II V aik zwu a.

Oct. 12, 1937.

D. T. GRIFFITH 2,095,247

STETHOSCOPE Filed Oct. 24, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to stethoscope construction and more particularly to the construction of the diaphragm or membrane support thereof, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device of this character wherein the diaphragm or membrane may be adjusted to compensate for phvsical laws as well as to adapt the device for use to meet the requirements of individual preferonce.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character wherein the diaphragm or membrane will be securely held in its positions of adjustment after an adjustment has been made.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for securing the diaphragm or membrane to the body portion of the stethoscope, whereby an adjustment of the membrane may be readily and easily made.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view a stethoscope, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevational view partly broken away, illustrating the bell-type stethoscope.

Figure 5 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 6 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating holding rings and a diaphragm positioned 40 thereon;

Figure 7 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating a modified form of diaphragm holding ring.

Figure 8 is a fragmental sectional view of a 45 further modified form of holding ring.

Figure 9 is a fragmental sectional view of a still further modified form of diaphragm holding rings.

Figure 10 is a fragmental sectional view of a 50 still further modified form of diaphragm holding ring.

Figure 11 is a fragmental sectional view through a modified form of diaphragm, wherein the holding ring is formed integral at the periphery 55 thereof.

Figure 12 is an elevational view disclosing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 13 is an elevational view partly in section, disclosing a stethoscope of the combined bell and diaphragm type.

Figure 14 is a fragmental sectional view of a modified form of the combination bell and diaphragm stethoscope.

Figure 15 is an elevational view illustrating a still further modified form of stethoscope especially adapted for pocket use.

Figure 16 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the manner of securing the form of diaphragm as shown by Figure 11 on the body portion of the stethoscope.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the stethoscope comprises a hollow body portion indicated generally by the reference character 5, the body portion having threads 6 that cooperate with threads 7 formed on the adjusting ring 8, whereby the adjusting ring 8 moves longitudinally of the body portion.

Extending inwardly from the outer end of the adjusting ring 8 is an annular flange 9 which engages the holding or clamping rings I!) that have beveled or otherwise cooperating surfaces between which the diaphragm H is gripped, securely holding the diaphragm in position.

It will be seen that the flange 9 also engages the diaphragm I I, bending the diaphragm in such a Way that the diaphragm cannot slip from its position within the holding rings.

In this form of the invention, a Wide band I2 is used, the wide band resting against the outer surface of the body portion 5, and while the adjusting ring 8 clamps the diaphragm, it also acts to hold the band It in position. Tubes [3 extend from the body portion and are provided with ear pieces not shown, to be inserted in the ears of the person using the stethoscope.

As shown by Figure 4 of the drawings, the body portion is bell-shaped and is formed with threads I 4 over which the adjusting ring l5 moves, the adjusting ring having a flange l6 that rests on the inwardly extending flange ll of the ring l8, which clamps the diaphragm l9 against the ring 20, securely holding the diaphragm in position.

In Figure 6 of the drawings another form of holding ring is shown, and comprises an outer ring member 2|, and an inner ring member 22 between which the diaphragm or membrane 23 is clamped. Each of these sections is formed with an annular horizontal flange 24, the flange of one section overlying the adjacent edge of the cooperating section in clamping the diaphragm. This form of holding ring is exceptionally positive in its operation.

In Figure 7 the holding ring is of the sectional type, the outer section thereof having an inclined inner surface cooperating with the inclined outer surface of the section 26. These sections have inwardly extended cooperating flanges 2'! that positively grip the diaphragm 28.

The modification shown by Figure 8 comprises a ring 29 formed with a groove in which one edge of the diaphragm 30 is held.

In Figure 9 the holding ring sections indicated by the reference character 3| have curved coop-- crating surfaces that grip the diaphragm 32.

The holding ring illustrated by Figure 10 is shown hollow with one edge of the diaphragm 33, secured therein, the ring having aslot 34 to receive the diaphragm.

Figure 12 of the drawings discloses a modified form of stethoscope and embodies a pair of tubes 35 cemented or otherwise secured together throughout substantially the entire lengths of the tubes, the ends of the tubes, however, being free to move laterally with respect to each other. Tubes 36 connect with the tubes 35 at one end or" the stethoscope, and extend from the body portion 37 of the stethoscope. Ear pieces 38 connect with the opposite ends of the tubes 35.

In the modified form of the body portion shown by Figure 13 of the drawings, the main section of the body portion is indicated by the reference character 39 and is formed on the ring member 4!. This ring member M has external threads that cooperate with threads on the adjusting ring 42 which has an inwardly disposed flange 43 that engages the ring 44 that fits within-the adjusting ring 42. The ring 44 cooperates with the ring 45 in gripping the edge of the diaphragm 46 to the end that the diaphragm is securely held in position within the adjusting ring 62. It may be further stated that the construction of the ring member is such that the diaphragm 4'6 is stretched over the extended end of the ring member 4| when the adjusting ring 52 is rotated in one direction.

As shown by Figure 14 of the drawings, the diaphragm 47 is held between the rings 48 and 49 that are disposed within the ring 58.

The construction of the body portion as shown by Figure 14, is practically identical with that shown by Figure 13 except in the form of the invention shown by Figure 14, the general outline of the body portion has been somewhat changed to meet various requirements, however, it is to'be understood that the operation of the diaphragm securing means is identical with that shown in the other forms of stethoscope.

In Figure 14 the stethoscope comprises a main section 5! and a removable section 52 over which the diaphragm is stretched.

A one piece rubber tube is shown at 53 and connects with the body portion of the stethoscope at 54. The ear pieces in this form of the invention, are indicated by the reference character 55.

A still further modified form of the diaphragm is shown by Figure 16 of the drawings in which form of the invention the ring 56 is formed integral with the diaphragm 51. The diaphragm 51 is held in position on the body portion of the stethoscope by means of the holding ring 58 which engages the ring 55.

It will of course be understood that these holding rings are of diameters to-fit over the body portion of a stethoscope, the diaphragm or membrane supported thereby, being held over the open end of the body portion. It follows that with the holding rings positioned and the adjusting ring mounted thereon, the diaphragm may be stretched or tensioned by merely rotating the adju'sting ring thereby adapting the stethoscope for use to meet the requirements of the person using the stethoscope.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a stethoscope, a hollow open ended body portion having a beveled outer surface, a diaphragm positioned over the outer end of the body portion, clamping ring members, the edge of the diaphragm being held between the ring members, an adjusting ring threaded on the body portion and engaging the clamping ring members, and said adjusting ring adapted to move the clamping ring members longitudinally of the beveled outer surface of the body portion, whereby the diaphragm is stretched over the end of the body portion.

2. In a stethoscope, a hollow open ended body portion having a beveled outer surface, a diaphragm stretched over the outer end of the body portion, ring members mounted on the body portion and between which the diaphragm is gripped, said ring members adapted to move over the beveled outer surface of the body portion, an adjusting ring, an annular flange on the adjusting ring, said flange engaging the ring members and adapted to move the ring members longitudinally of the body portion stretching the diaphragm over the end of the body portion.

3; In a stethoscope, a hollow open ended body portion having a beveled outer surface, a diaphragm stretched over the open end of the body portion, outer and inner clamping rings mounted on the body portion and movable over the beveled surface thereof, said diaphragm being gripped between the rings, an adjusting ring member threaded on the body portion, an annular inwardly extended fiange on the adjusting ring, said flange contacting with the diaphragm and pressing the diaphragm into engagement with the clamping ring members, said adjusting ring adapted to stretch the diaphragm over the open end of the body portion when the adjusting ring is moved in one direction longitudinally of the body portion.

DAVID THOMAS GRIFFITH. 

